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“From the Cop on the Street to the Judge’s Seat” OJJDP National Leadership Conference Ronald E. Bogle Superior Court Judge (Retired). Insights
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“From the Cop on the Streetto the Judge’s Seat”OJJDP National Leadership Conference Ronald E. BogleSuperior Court Judge (Retired)
Insights • Reporting that underage drinking is the worst he has seen in 24 years of policing, “It’s so pretty here, but it gets ugly at night.” CPL Scott Hilderley, RCMP • “On the surface people would say that kids “having a few beers” is no big deal, but that’s not what we’re seeing on the law enforcement side.” Deputy Chief Gordon Dibble, Batavia, NY • “I have been outspoken on the topic of alcohol abuse because I have seen first-hand the devastating human costs that can result from it. Excessive drinking can lead to profound health, social and economic consequences not only for excessive drinkers, but also those around them.” Graham B. Spanier, President, Penn State University
Additional Insights • “I suspect that alcohol is involved in well over 50% of the cases I see.” Linda Franz, Public Assistance Officer, Great Falls, MT • “No amount of law enforcement can solve a problem that goes back to the family.” J. Edgar Hoover, former Director, FBI
“I don’t believe the problem behind risky teen behavior is a lack of knowledge. The programs do a good job in teaching kids the facts. Education alone doesn’t work. It doesn’t seem to affect their behavior.” Dr. Laurence Steinberg Temple University
Community Strategy Use of the law enforcement community to prevent underage drinking, not to criminalize mistakes of youth, but as a genuine public health intervention
“Call to Action” • Vision – Healthy development of American Youth • Threat to Vision – underage consumption and adverse consequences • 6 National Goals (4 involve criminal and juvenile justice systems and law enforcement
National Goals (Goal 1) Foster Change in American Society • Uniform enforcement of law and policies against underage use and widely publicize these efforts. • Gain public support for enforcement by working with stakeholders • Work with State, tribal and local coalitions to reduce underage drinking.
National Goals (Goal 2) Engage parents, other organizations and all levels of government that interface with youth to prevent underage drinking. • Increase knowledge of judges and others • Require intervention for parents with disorders • Provide screenings and interventions • Enforce underage drinking laws and hold adults accountable • Decrease availability
National Goals (Goal 3) Promote understanding of underage alcohol consumption in context of human maturation and development • Provide for violations to be developmentally appropriate and avoid unintended outcomes.
National Goals (Goal 6) Work to ensure policies at all levels are consistent with the national goal to prevent underage drinking. • Uniform and consistent enforcement of law • Enforce graduated license laws for novice drivers to include restrictions • Enforce zero-tolerance laws and laws related to driving after drinking
Obstacles for the Criminal and Juvenile Justice System in the Prevention of Underage Drinking
Community Support For Law Enforcement Does it Exist in your commumity?
Legal Community Myths of Underage Drinking
Myth # 1 “It’s no big deal – all the kid’s drink. Besides, it’s a Rite of Passage.”
Myth # 2 “I let them drink at home so that I can teach them to drink responsibly.”
Myth #3 “We should model the Europeans – they allow kids to drink early and they drink responsibly.”
Myth # 4 “The most important thing is to protect youth from the consequence of their offense.”
Legal System Triumvirate • Cop on the Street • Prosecutors • Judge in the Seat
Cop on the Street • Myths • Departmental Support • Judicial Support • Offense Weight • Court Time • Case Circumstances
Prosecutors • Myths • Office Policy • Judicial Support • Move the Docket • Offense Weight • Case Circumstances • Offense Record
Judges • Myths • Judicial Philosophy • Judicial Independence • Offense Weight • Offense Record
Sobering Statistics Alcohol – a Frequent Partner in Crime
Alcohol is a leading factor 67% of domestic violence 62% of assaults 54% of murders/attempted murders 48% of robberies 44% of burglaries 66% of child abuse cases 75% of date rapes
Criminal Justice Underage Drinking Costs • Youth Violence - $31.1 billion • Youth Traffic Crashes - $14.9 billion • Youth Property Crimes - $3.1 billion Pacific Institute for Research & Evaluation (PIRE) 2007
Community Strategies • Law enforcement • Prosecutors • Judges
Law Enforcement • Relationship building • Departmental Policy • Departmental Training • High Visibility Law Enforcement • Public Media • Alert (Alcohol Law Enforcement Team) • Enforcement (including adult providers)
Prosecutors • Relationship building • Educate about underage drinking • Community support • Advocate for outcomes • Court watch • Recognition
Judges • Relationship building • Education & WIFM • Community support • Court watch • Encourage judicial leadership
Contact Information Ronald E. Bogle Superior Court Judge (Retired) Community Strategy Group, LLC 154 Lake Ellen Drive Chapel Hill, NC 27514 (919) 931-0164 robojudge@earthlink.net